Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

In accordance with the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, no declarations of Whipped Votes or Party Whips were declared.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.  

Resolved that the Minutes of the Scrutiny Programme Committee held on 14 February, 2023 be signed and approved as a correct record, subject to Beth Allender’s apologies being recorded.

Questions can be submitted in writing to Democratic Services democracy@swansea.gov.uk up until noon on the working day prior to the meeting. Written questions take precedence. Public may attend and ask questions in person if time allows.  Questions must relate to items on the open part of the agenda and will be dealt within a 10 minute period.

No questions were received.

The Chair requested that the matter be deferred due to Officer illness.

Resolved that the matter be deferred.

The Chair of Governance and Audit Committee discussed her Committee’s work and the relationship between Scrutiny and Governance and Audit. This was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen that relationship and closer working.

She referred to the recent Local Government & Elections (Wales) Act which gave additional responsibilities to Governance & Audit Committees relating to the Council Annual Performance Self-Assessment, and once per term Performance Peer Review. It also required Committees to consider the Council’s Annual Complaints Report.

She referred to the range of actions already in place to ensure there is awareness/understanding of each Committee’s work and co-ordination to avoid duplication and cited examples of work in relation to external audit and performance reporting and the difference in approaches, ensuring that activity on any common topics is complementary, with the Governance & Audit Committee being mainly concerned with assurance around the effectiveness of process. Given the role of the Service Improvement & Finance Scrutiny Performance Panel in carrying out ongoing performance monitoring, the Panel Convener, Cllr Chris Holley, is being invited to attend Governance & Audit Committees when any performance reports are being discussed.

She also referred to All Wales Training that she has attended which has helped her in her role as Chair of the Governance & Audit Committee which has covered the relationship with Scrutiny, and respective roles.

The Chair thanked the Chair of Governance and Audit for her informative report.

Cllr Paxton Hood-Williams provided a report summarising the work of the Child & Family Services Scrutiny Performance Panel over the past year, and key issues which the Panel has been focussing on.

Resolved that the Scrutiny Performance Panel Progress report in respect of Child & Family Services Scrutiny Performance Panel be noted.

Resolved that the membership of the Panels and Working Groups as reported, be agreed.

The Chair presented the agreed Scrutiny Work Programme for 2022/23 which the Committee is responsible for monitoring.

The plan for the Special Meeting on 20 March is:

·       Pre-decision Scrutiny: National 20 Mph Default Speed Limit Including Consideration of the Exemption Process.

The main items scheduled for the next meeting on 18 April is:

·       Crime & Disorder Scrutiny Session – Safer Swansea Community Safety Partnership.

The Chair presented a report on ‘Scrutiny Letters’ for information.

The Chair referred to the date and time of upcoming Scrutiny Panel/Working Group Meetings, for information.